Introduction:Changing Women, Changing Worlds
Derek Poole

Comment
Ruth Hutchinson

From the Directors
David McMillan

Changing Women, Changing Worlds: The Question of Women
Fran Porter

Review...Delightfully Subversive
Cheryl Reid

Review...Opportune
Linda McClaughlin

Faith and Practice...Christine Bell
Ruth Hutchinson

Antjie Krog
Peter Stark

Review...Thought Provoking
Myrtle Hill

Review...Smashing Clerical Complacency
Malachi O'Doherty

Weston Park Amnesty

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OPPORTUNE
Changing Women, Changing Worlds - Review
Christians today need to be thinking deeply and biblically about the many issues facing twenty-first century society, not least the issue of gender. Changing Women, Changing Worlds provides a window into women’s reality, raising questions that have implications for evangelicals and evangelicalism. This book is opportune because evangelical literature has been characterised by a lack of informed consideration of gender issues.

The writer helpfully suggests several explanations for the absence of gender awareness. The question of a woman’s place in evangelicalism generally is perceived in a negative light and therefore viewed as ‘problematic’. Also the placing of this issue in either a sexual or social context, or the negative attitudes regarding feminism, undoubtedly colours one’s interpretation. Changing Women, Changing Worlds offers a readable and informative overview of the common issues facing evangelical women particularly in their participation in church, community and politics. The writer makes a case for a visible awareness and understanding of gender concerns with questions relating to participation, inclusion, difference, authority, domesticity and priority.

She has researched women’s experiences by means of in-depth interviews and has used the analysis of her findings to focus on common themes pertinent to exploring evangelical women’s participation in church and wider society. Her many quotations of these experiences allow women to speak for themselves but, at times, the quotes render the text tedious. The claim that this is a rich account of women’s reality could have been more clearly substantiated by a statistical analysis (in table form) of the interviewees. This would have enabled the reader to evaluate the breadth in scope of age, marital and maternal status, geographical location and denominational affiliation. In chapter two, the writer is to be commended for her clear outline of the current situation regarding women’s involvement in church, community and politics. She then examines the different measures that facilitate women’s involvement in male roles as traditionally perceived. In chapter three, elements that enable, and those that hinder women’s inclusion in church and civil life, are identified. Moreover it is inferred that a fuller ‘inclusion’ of women in church and society will demand both affirmative action and a change in discriminatory mindsets.

An exploration of the significance and notion of gender difference is then made and it is surprising that the writer insists in this area ‘some women are their own worst enemies’. While it is further claimed that the emphasis on gender ‘difference’ has resulted in a marginalisation and devaluing process for some women, it is also noted that, for others, the concept of ‘difference’ is perceived positively. In chapter six the practical and personal realities of domestic responsibility are discussed. However, her investigation, in chapter five, concerning the question of ‘authority’ merits further comment. While recognising that the writer is giving an overview of concerns, this chapter falls short of presenting an adequate reasoning and discussion on the complex subjects of ‘headship’ and ‘authority’. The writer clearly illustrates that no consensus exists amongst evangelicals on the question of ‘headship’ and ‘authority’ in church and society, but her summary statements give insufficient indication of the breadth of scholarly opinion on this complex issue.

In conclusion Changing Women, Changing Worlds is a well-written overview of the related questions that concern women in the church, community and society. This is a commendable book for the evangelical community to read as a further step to becoming more aware of the realities of women in church and society. The next step in the process, that of the practical outworking of these implications, will be a major challenge. The writer is to be congratulated for paying due attention to the reality that humanity is female and male. Not to do so would be disadvantageous ‘to our understanding of ourselves and of the way we function in our churches and wider society’. It would be sad if readership of this work were to be limited to those already aware of the gender issues and decided as to their position.

Linda McClaughlin is a part time teacher. She has recently completed a Master of Philosophy degree on a critical analysis of the biblical teaching on the status and role of women.